Tag: cattification

If you lack the square footage for elaborate cat furniture, there are plenty of ways to help your cat branch out (and up), and make you feel like he’s got more room than you.

The Whisker Shop is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and some links in this post are affiliate links. This means that there will be no additional cost to you if you shop at Amazon.com using these links, but we will receive a small percentage of those purchases as a commission. The opinions in this post belong to The Whisker Shop, and we only recommend products we would use or have used ourselves.

Tip #1: Think vertically! This is really the best way to maximize a cat’s space. Adding shelves, or rearranging stuff on existing shelves to make room for cats, is like adding a cat magnet for most cats. Keep in mind the size and age of your cats: smaller or older cats may need additional shelves or a chair moved so they can get on and off the shelf safely. Make sure the shelves can hold your cats’ weight and the force of their jump, to avoid unnecessary injuries and home repairs.

You can have us design custom cat shelves, or buy something premade like these Better Homes and Gardens 4-Cube Organizer and Bookcase. If you buy something taller than it is wide, be sure to also get some kind of wall-mounted fastener like these Anti-Tip Furniture Wall Straps used for childproofing and earthquake-proofing.

You may also want to try this door-mounted set of cat shelves, although you may need to add additional hardware (screws or nails) for more stability.

Tip #2: Think multi-purpose! Dedicated cat furniture is beautiful and helps your cat feel like she really owns her space. But sometimes you just don’t have the floor space to dedicate to something like our beautiful round retro cat condo. Adding something like a Clamp-on Desk Shelf to an existing desk or table will let you keep working while your cat supervises from above. If you already have a desk with a shelf, consider clearing off some space and adding an inbox for your cat. Sometimes an empty box lid is all that’s needed to entice a cat to use a new space, or you can try something much cozier, like a MidWest Deluxe Bolster Pet Bed.

Tip #3: Maximize space! If you’ve got extra leg room under your desk, or under a table where you spend a lot of time working, your cat may want to join you (and get in your way). Try tucking a cozy place to call their own near your feet (but not so near where you might kick them!), like the Zen Den Cat Hideout. We like the Zen Den because the top comes off for easy access in case of emergencies, and it folds flat for travel or storage. It’s also great for cats who prefer to be closer to the ground.

As a follow up to our recent post about making your living space more cat-friendly, here are more cattification suggestions!

The Whisker Shop is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and some links in this post are affiliate links. This means that there will be no additional cost to you if you shop at Amazon.com using these links, but we will receive a small percentage of those purchases as a commission. The opinions in this post belong to The Whisker Shop, and we only recommend products we would use or have used ourselves.

Pop-up cubes or tents like this Kitty City Pop-up Cat Cube are one of our cats’ favorites. They can “hunt” toys from inside the cube, dive into it, and roll around all over the place. They’re fairly sturdy, although after a year of use, they’re definitely full of claw marks and frayed around the openings. They can be folded flat for storage when not in use, or when traveling so they’ve got a cozy hidey-hole at your destination. We have used different brands over the years, and they all seem to wear out in the same way: claws, frayed seams, and wearing out the fabric over the wire frame. We inspect ours regularly, and as soon as the metal starts to show through the cube’s edges, we replace it with a new one for safety reasons.

The Scratch Lounge has been the best of both worlds for Kepler: he can lounge in it like a cardboard box, and he can scratch the heck out of it when the urge strikes. Cardboard scratchers are nice option because they’re reversible so you’ll get twice the life out of them (just flip over when one side is sufficiently shredded), they’re lightweight, and they’re completely recyclable.

Pet screen: If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere where you can enjoy opening your windows on a nice day, your cats might love to hang out, and on, your window screens. We have replaced our screens with PetScreen many times, which is tear- and puncture-resistant. Not only does it keep your window screens looking nice, but it keeps the bugs out! If you’ve never replaced a screen before, it’s actually easier than we expected (but still involves a little elbow grease), and you might want to just grab a whole pet screen installation kit that has everything you need for a single window.

Window treatments: Windows are like magnets for cats. Letting your cats watch “Kitty TV” is cheap entertainment and lets them view the outside world from the safety of their home. But cats can be pretty rough on blinds and curtains. Horizontal blinds don’t last long against window-loving kitties, and fabric curtains require regular lint-rolling or laundering, but vertical blinds are more forgiving when it comes to cats. They’re fairly inexpensive (about $40), and the slats can be replaced individually and affordably, if one should break off (and you can’t or don’t want to repair it with tape). They come in a variety of sizes (or you can cut them to fit), with subtle patterns and embellishments to match your home.

cattify, noun.
1. to make more catlike, or to add cat-friendly features.

Cattifying your space does not necessarily require spending money and buying new furniture. Cattification could simply be rearranging your shared living space to make it more welcoming for your cat. I know it might seem like your space couldn’t possibly be any more welcoming when they’ve flopped onto your face when you’re asleep at 4 AM, or when they’re trying to steal your pizza, or when their rear end is in your face when you’re trying to read a book, or… Right. You get the idea. But trust me. There’s always room for improvement.

Remember that most cats want to be where their humans are. You might leave the house to go to work every day, or hang out with friends, but for most cats, their whole world is your shared living space. When they get “cabin fever,” they’ve got nowhere to go. So give them places to go that don’t require leaving the house!

Consider moving furniture so that a chair or bookshelf is in front of a window. If they’re always trying to sit on one specific shelf, can you move that shelf’s contents so your cat can have premium seating?

Try to find the one place in the house with the best vantage point: that allows them to see as much of the house as possible. They probably spend a lot of time there. This might be the end of a hallway, or where the dining room meets the kitchen and living room, or it might be on your dresser because they can see down the hall and keep a creepy eye on you while you sleep. Can you put a cat bed, cat condo, or a cozy chair in that spot?

Always give them the box if you shop online and get deliveries! When a new package arrives, throw out the old box and let them break in the new one. Boxes that always smell new are always a source of excitement around here.

Make a (temporary) “cat fort.” Making forts with pillows and blankets is great fun for kids– and it’s fun for cats too. Hang a blanket at an angle from a closed drawer to the floor, or over the back of a chair. Turn a large box on its side and drape a blanket over the opening. Use this as the start of your playtime, and let them chase toys on sticks from behind the blankets and inside their caves.

If this is your first piece of cat furniture or your fiftieth, The Whisker Shop has some suggestions for deciding what to get for your feline friend.

Is your cat a “tree dweller” or a “bush dweller?” Many cats have no preference at all. But if your cat has a definite preference for finding the highest point in any room, you’ve got a “tree dweller.” You’ll probably want the tallest condo you can fit in your living space, or some strategically-mounted shelves, keeping in mind that if it’s taller than their current favorite high point, you’ll probably convince them to use their new furniture much more often than your tallest shelf of priceless knickknacks.

If your cat is always looking for cubbies and hidey-holes, or loves to sprawl on the floor under foot, you may have yourself a “bush dweller.” Your kitty may prefer one of our classic oak cat beds, or one of our round condos.

If your cat hides often, or gets chased by dogs or children, you might consider a taller condo or shelves, where she can keep an eye on you and the shenanigans from a safe distance.

How much space do you have to spare? Consider maximizing space by putting a cat bed on a dresser, putting a small condo under an unused table or desk, or mounting a scratching post to a door or wall.

So you’ve picked out the perfect new cat furniture! Usually cats are quick to claim anything new as their own, often before it’s unwrapped or assembled. But what if your feline friend isn’t nearly as excited as you are, and still prefers to sit on the kitchen counter or inside that sad old cardboard box you can’t bring yourself to throw away? Here are some tricks to entice your friend to love your new furniture more than your spot on the couch.

The Whisker Shop is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and some links in this post are affiliate links. This means that there will be no additional cost to you if you shop at Amazon.com using these links, but we will receive a small percentage of those purchases as a commission. The opinions in this post belong to The Whisker Shop, and we only recommend products we have tried ourselves, unless stated otherwise.

Catnip: If your cat loves catnip, rub about a tablespoon on the lower part of the condo, about shoulder height to your cat. Do the same around any platforms or inside any “hidey holes.” Then just walk away! They’ll explore in their own time.

Our cats’ current favorite catnip is Yeowww Organic Catnip. They also love silver vine and catnip blend. Silver vine is a relative of the kiwifruit, and a popular cat treat in Asia, and some cats who don’t normally respond to catnip will love silver vine. (Fun fact: only 70-80% of cats are affected by catnip! And usually kittens do not respond to the ‘nip until they are about 6 months old.)

Playtime: A toy on a stick will grab their attention, and let you guide and “point” them towards the new furniture. Take care not to let your cat jump from too high of a height if your new furniture is very tall, your cats are very small, or they’re not used to climbing. This feather on a stick toy might do the trick. If your cat prefers bugs to birds, try the Neko Flies Kattipede.

A quick note about cat toys with bells: sometimes cats are scared or irritated by the bells on many stick toys, and sometimes cats just love them because it’s the sound of playtime. If your cat is not a fan of noisy toys, just cut the ribbon or elastic holding the bell on, and breathe new life into rejected toys and playtime!

If your cat seems timid, don’t push them. Just try again later! There’s no rush. Chances are, they’ll be snoozing in their new spot soon– it just needed to be their idea, and not yours!